The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is responsible for enforcing federal laws and protecting the intelligence of the United States. In Oklahoma, FBI agents are stationed at the state’s field office in Oklahoma City. Those holding FBI jobs in Oklahoma are responsible for protecting all 77 counties in the state.
FBI careers in Oklahoma involve investigating and prosecuting crimes including, but not limited to, the following:
- Fraud and corruption (Oklahoma FBI Special Agents have recently investigated cases including mortgage fraud, health care fraud, tax fraud and bank fraud)
- Counterintelligence (in Oklahoma, this involves investigating terror threats and working to stop both domestic and foreign spies)
- Violent crime (in recent years, Oklahoma FBI Agents have prosecuted bank robberies, assaults, child pornography and illegal weapons possession cases)
- Cyber and technology crimes (Oklahoma City’s InfraGard Chapter works to help local and national organizations share information on cyber threats online and offline)
How to Become an FBI Special Agent in Oklahoma: Training and Degree Requirements
Becoming an FBI Special Agent in Oklahoma is a calling that only the most committed Oklahomans should answer. Although completion of 20 weeks of paid specialized training in Quantico, Virginia is mandatory for those who apply and are accepted to become an FBI agent in Oklahoma, one must first fulfill some fundamental requirements, including:
- U.S. citizenship
- U.S. residency for three of the past five years
- Possession of a valid U.S. driver’s license with at least six months’ driving experience
- Be at least 23 years old but hired before one’s 36th birthday
- Have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Have at least two years of full-time professional work experience
- Willingness to work at any FBI office in the U.S.
- Agree to work for the FBI as a Special Agent for at least three years
- Agree to work an average of ten hours daily, including overtime and odd hours
- Willingness to carry a firearm at all times and use it if necessary
Applications for FBI agent positions in Oklahoma are accepted at the Oklahoma City office (405-290-7770). The application process takes a minimum of six months, and includes:
- Completion of an online application
- A three hour computerized exam on logical reasoning, behavioral and cognitive abilities
- Meeting other Special Agents throughout the country
- Review of qualifications by FBI headquarters
- If pass the review, must complete a 90 minute written exam and hour long oral exam
- Passing physical fitness tests
- Pass a thorough security background check including a lie detector test
- Pass a thorough medical examination
As a new FBI Special Agent in Oklahoma City, one’s pay rate would start at the GS-10 step 1 level ($43,441 as of 2013), but at the Oklahoma City localized adjustment rate of 2.83%. This equals approximately $44,670 annually as a starting salary for FBI special agents in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
FBI Field Offices and Jobs in Oklahoma
In addition to the Oklahoma City field office, there are 11 satellite offices/resident agencies in Oklahoma. They include Woodward, Vinita, Tulsa, Stillwater, Norman, Muskogee, McAlester, Lawton, Elk City, Durant and Ardmore.
Each FBI field office has its own specialized capabilities, requiring persons with special qualifications or abilities to fill the jobs. FBI jobs in Oklahoma may focus on the following specializations:
- Computer Analysis and Response Teams (CART) – Forensic examiners who investigate computers and other digital devices in processing evidence
- Language Specialists – Translate audio and written documents in various languages to help in criminal and espionage cases
- Evidence Response Teams –>Oklahoma City has three teams with eight agents per team who go to crime scenes to gather physical evidence
- HAZMAT Experts – Trained to respond to events involving hazardous materials of the radiological, biological and chemical kind
- Specialized Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team – Consists of 15 agents who are called on to deal with high-risk situations worldwide
- Special Agent Bomb Technicians – Oklahoma City has three such agents who are trained to work with explosives, IEDs and bombs, rendering them safe